Silver Falls, Colorado
(2020)
- Brother -

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When Valeria woke up the next morning after another long day, the sun was shining on her face and she smiled automatically. It was kind of a nice feeling to wake up in Silver Falls and know that you wouldn't be told off for forgetting to put your glass in the kitchen. It felt really good.

At some point, Valeria decided to get up and find a bathroom at a petrol station where she could brush her teeth and wash her face in peace. So she got behind the wheel and set off. After an endless search and pure desperation, she finally found a petrol station, but unfortunately found out that all the bathrooms were occupied and probably wouldn't be free again until late afternoon.

Annoyed, Valeria was just about to get back into her car when suddenly a woman came walking over to her and spoke to her.

"Hello dear, I saw that you wanted to go to the baths in the petrol station, is that right?" Valeria nodded and sighed. She was embarrassed that even strangers could see that she had no home and had to go to the public baths to start the day.

"Yes, that's right, M'am." the woman tilted her head and looked at Valeria kindly. Valeria could sense that this woman only had good intentions and somehow she felt comfortable around her.

"Sweetie, do you even have a proper place to sleep? If not, I would like to offer you the chance to move in with me and my family on our ranch! We would be really happy to have you with us." Valeria's eyes began to light up and a slight smile formed on her lips. This woman had been sent by the angels themselves and Valeria couldn't help but accept the offer!

"I don't want to put you to any trouble. But on the other hand, it's getting cold in my car and I'm starting to feel lonely." She lowered her head and the woman gently stroked her back.

It wasn't long before the woman sat in Valeria's car and showed her the way to the ranch. When they arrived at the ranch, Valeria parked her car behind an old truck and followed the woman to the house.

It was a magnificent house and Valeria was impressed by the beauty of the ranch. Just before they went in, the two women introduced themselves to each other and already formed an inseparable bond.

"Before I forget: I'm Valeria Alamilla Garcia, it's really nice to meet you!" the woman smiled at Valeria and took her hands in hers.

"That's a really beautiful name, Valeria! My name is Katherine, but you can call me Kate or Kathy!" Valeria nodded at Katherine and finally followed her into the house. The inside was even more magnificent than the outside and Valeria began to feel at ease.

"Where is your husband? Didn't you say you live here with your family?" Katherine laughed and then nodded. She also wondered where her husband and children were. Were they perhaps in the garden? Or were they in the city?

"Well observed, Val! I normally live here with my children and husband but somehow none of them seem to be here." Katherine scratched her head before shrugging her shoulders and offering to help Valeria carry her bags.

When the two women had finished carrying Valeria's bags into the house, Katherine quickly showed her to her room. It was the first room when you came up the stairs, you couldn't miss it! At least that's what Valeria thought.

At some point, the two heard a noise coming from the garden, so they decided to go and have a look. However, Valeria would have expected anything, but not to see her brothers again after such a long time! The two of them sat by the pool, sipping a cocktail and enjoying life to the full.

Katherine noticed that Valeria was behaving strangely, but decided not to ask yet. However, she noticed that Valeria was looking at Lee and Isaac. The sparkle had disappeared from Valeria's eyes and now tears were streaming down her cheeks. Who did the boys remind her of?

Suddenly, George came walking towards them and looked at his wife in confusion. He hadn't been expecting an addition to the family, which is why he was a little irritated by Valeria's presence.

"Have we got a new addition to the family?" Katherine laughed and nodded. Valeria didn't notice George as she was focussed on Lee and Isaac. It was only when Katherine put her arm around her shoulders that Valeria turned her gaze away from her brothers and looked at George.

"Honey, this is Valeria. I met her at a petrol station and she's only been here a short time so she didn't have a home and because you know how I am, I asked her if she'd like to move in with us. Of course I should have asked you first, I'm sorry!" Katherine sighed and waited for a reaction from her husband. George scratched his head, but a little later reached out his hand to introduce himself properly to Valeria.

"Welcome to the family, Valeria! I'm George, Katherine's husband and father of that crazy gang you see behind me!" Valeria shook George's hand and laughed. She was happy to be a part of this family now, even though she had only known Katherine for two hours. Her soul found peace in the belief that all would be well and that she would now be part of a real family! And it did her good to know that she was now reunited with her brothers.

"Come on, Val, I'll introduce you to our crazy gang!" Katherine took Valeria by the hand and ran into the garden. George watched the two of them and smiled. When Katherine and Valeria reached the boys, they all turned to face them. At first Lee and Isaac didn't even notice who was standing in front of them, but when they realised, they jumped up and ran into Valeria's arms!

Valeria had never been as happy as she was at that moment! She had her two little brothers back and she wouldn't trade that for anything in the world! Tears were streaming down Lee's cheeks and Isaac didn't want to let go of Valeria!

George, Katherine and the others were confused, but didn't get a chance to ask because they didn't want to ruin the moment. But when Lee and Isaac pulled away from the embrace, Katherine finally asked if they knew each other before.

"I didn't want to ruin your moment because it was really beautiful, but I would like to know how you know each other. Have you met before?" Katherine had a slight smile on her lips, which made it easier for Valeria to answer.

"Well, I've known them since they were born and was by their side every single day until 2 years ago. Then they left home and moved in with your wonderful family! I want to thank you, Kate. I want to thank you for taking my two brothers in so warmly and treating them as if they were your own children!" George came back into the garden and looked at Katherine. Had Valeria just said that she was Lee and Isaac's sister? The sister Lee and Isaac had been looking for in vain?

Valeria sensed that the mood was getting strange and wanted to lighten it a little, but she didn't get the chance, because suddenly a blond, tall and handsome young man climbed out of the water and looked Valeria straight in the eye.